The new Head of Service for Ekiti State, Mr. Bamidele Agbede, was sworn in on Monday by Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who urged him to think creatively about how to create a responsive public service for the twenty-first century.
Mrs. Peju Babafemi, who resigned last week after 35 years of honourable service to the state, was succeeded by Agbede.
In his speech at the ceremony, Dr. Fayemi urged Agbede to support the government’s plan for civil service modernization.
The colourful ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; Speaker Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Funminiyi Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Folusho Daramola; two former deputy governors, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko and Chief Paul Alabi as well as two former Heads of service, Sir Bunmi Famosaya; and Mr Deji Ajayi; traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
The new Head of Service was asked by the Governor to uphold the trust placed in him by adhering to government policies and programmes and acting as a source of stability for the upcoming administration.
He urged him to continue the accomplishments of his forerunners and to make use of his extensive public service experience to show his ability to unify all civil workers behind the upcoming administration.
Governor Fayemi said that his administration has institutionalised a process-driven system to ensure meritocracy in the emergence of best officers into senior public service positions as part of his commitment to openness in corporate governance.
He underlined that his administration’s adherence to professionalism, due process, and conscious aim to restore values, dignity, and honour into public service has been further reinforced by the smooth and strife-free transfer between the old Head of Service and the new one.
At the colour event, Dr. Fayemi also praised Mrs. Babafemi, the outgoing Head of Service, for her meritorious service and for making significant strides toward restructuring the public sector for efficient service delivery.
He said, “I enjoin the newly appointed Head of Service to justify the confidence reposed in him, and align with the state government policies and programmes as boldly and expressly enunciated in our 5-pillar agenda. It is also expected that he woukd be a source of stability for the incoming administration.
“You are inheriting a very active public service that has keyed into the vision of this administration. I expect you to hit the ground running and make your impact felt.
“The restoration agenda is a continuous task that must be done. You are expected to sustain the transformation agenda, especially as it relates to the civil service. I know you to possess the capacity to think outside the box and no time calls for that ability more than now when a lot is expected from you in building a 21st century Civil service.”
In response, Governor Fayemi received praise from the new head of the service, Barr Agbède, for demonstrating zeal for the growth of the public service through reforms and transformation plans.
He committed to working with the administration to create an atmosphere that will support the Ekiti workforce and guarantee that the resources are used wisely when serving the state’s residents.